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“Rohit defines aggression and fearless cricket and I am looking forward to seeing him in whites”
Legendary India batsman VVS Laxman has announced that opener Rohit Sharma “is ready to make his Test debut” against the West Indies tomorrow in Kolkata.
Sharma recently scored 491 runs against Australia in a seven-match ODI series at an incredible average of 122.75 and Laxman is hoping that the 26-year-old will be able to replicate his limited overs form in Test cricket.
In the final ODI against Australia in Bangalore, Sharma became the third cricketer in history to score a double century in an ODI and he now holds the record for the second-highest ODI score of 209.
“Yes, absolutely, he is ready to make his Test debut,” Laxman told NDTV. “I have always felt that he is one of the most talented and gifted young batsmen in India currently.
“It is great to see the consistency he has maintained, especially since he has opened the batting in one-dayers. Rohit defines aggression and fearless cricket and I am looking forward to seeing him in whites.”
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar reiterated Laxman’s point, saying: “Rohit has been ready for a while. I don’t think he can be more ready than he is now for the highest level of the game, that is Test cricket.”
It is understood that Sharma will replace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the Test squad as he is currently recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained during the limited overs series against Australia.
“India will go in to the first Test with six specialist batsmen and four bowlers, which has worked for them in the past,” Gavaskar said.
Despite India only having a three-day gap between their final ODI against Australia and the first Test against the West Indies, Gavaskar noted that “good players” should have no problems making “the adjustment between ODI and Test cricket”.
“The good players will always make the adjustment between ODI and Test cricket with ease,” he said. “Despite a short gap, the modern cricketer is prepared for the challenge and it will not be much of a problem.”